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Blizzard keeps its users on a tight rope as over 300 accounts have been banned so far. "We have recently verified that certain individuals were using third party "bot" programs to automate their characters in World of Warcraft. A bot is used to play an account non-stop, allowing its user to accumulate money, items, and experience without actually requiring the user to be physically present to play the game. The use of bots is a violation of the World of Warcraft Terms of Use and is absolutely prohibited. Therefore, the accounts identified as having used bots have been banned."

EA has now released the linux patches/server files for Digital Illusions Battlefield 1942 & Battlefield Vietnam. These updates bring your server to v1.61 (BF1942) and v1.21 (BFV) and address an undisclosed exploit reported by community member Luigi Auriemma (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links.

Just as Far Cry redefined the FPS genre on the PC, Far Cry Instincts will introduce wide open environments and unique, immersive gameplay elements that are destined to become the definition of survival action. In addition to the PC version's signature locations, non-scripted A.I., and unprecedented view-distance, Far Cry Instincts will feature brand new gameplay scenarios that will challenge players to use an even broader range of strategies and survival tactics in order to uncover the many secrets within the beautiful-but-deadly islands.

I'm working on an article for Retro Gamer magazine concerning the old censorship rules under which Nintendo of America operated during the NES/SNES period. If you're a developer, translator, or writer who worked with Nintendo back then and ran afoul of these rules, I'd like to interview you for the article. If requested, anonymity is, of course, guaranteed. Prospective interviewees can contact me at multimedia.superstar@gmail.com.

Bandai America Inc. today announced that "Battle Assault 3 Featuring Gundam SEED" has shipped. Available exclusively for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, "Battle Assault 3 Featuring Gundam SEED" is the first of the hit Battle Assault series for the PlayStation2 and combines fast-paced fighting action with the gripping storylines from the hit Gundam SEED television series.

Ubisoft announced today the Shadowbane: Throne of Oblivion expansion pack is now available at a manufacturer’s retail price of $19.99 – rated “T” for Teen. In addition, those who purchase Shadowbane: Throne of Oblivion will also receive the original Shadowbane and the previous expansion, Shadowbane: Rise of Chaos for free. The expansion for the critically acclaimed massively multiplayer online game Shadowbane features an entirely new realm and rulership system that allows players to seize and vie for control of sections of the game world.

The latest version of Gran Turismo 4 further demonstrates its mission to provide the most authentic driving simulation available in the marketplace. New features will extend above and beyond just pure automotive racing, providing a unique destination for automotive and PS2 enthusiasts to enjoy car culture in every dimension. Check out these 50 new screens ...

Blue Byte has released a patch for the German demo of its 3D RTS The Settlers: Heritage of Kings. This demo patch brings your demo to v1.01 and adds multiplayer functionality to the demo, and one additional MP only map, 'The Great Battle,' for up to 6 players (thanks 3DGamers). Read more for download links ...

Konami America today announced the signing of U.S. National Team defensive star player Eddie Pope as the official cover athlete for Winning Eleven 8. The game will be released this spring on the PlayStation 2, PC and, for the first time, on the Xbox.

UEFA Champions League will offer followers of the beautiful game the opportunity to guide their chosen club from qualification anxiety through to big night glory. It will add an element of the unexpected allowing lower league teams into the glamour world of European football. Throughout the game, players need to negotiate 50 unique and challenging on- and off-field missions successfully to take control of their UEFA Champions League destiny.

Mythic Entertainment today announced that "Dark Age of Camelot: Catacombs" has shipped to retail stores throughout North America. The online game's fifth expansion, "Catacombs" debuts instanced Private Adventuring for solo and group quests, adds five new classes, reveals a vast new underworld to explore, and a major character and environment graphics overhaul.

Mirage Interactive has released a new patch for their WW2 based FPS Mortyr 2: For Ever. This update brings your retail game to v1.352 and addresses a 'flying up' issue when the game starts issue in Windowns XP SP2, and a few other small problems. This patch works for the English, French and Polish editions of the game. Read more for download links ...

'Stronghold 2 will bring the the castle-sim and siege-warfare RTS series to life in glorious 3D. Stronghold 2 will also offer players a "castle-life" campaign, enhanced multiplayer capability and a new, innovative and exciting single player campaign that will be revealed in the months ahead. Due to be released for PC in early 2005, until then, check these new screens and ingame footage trailers...

Ubisoft has released a new patch for 1C Maddox's World War II combat flight simulation Pacific Fighters. This update brings your retail game to v3.02 and adds model enhancements, gameplay tweaks, and the usual crash & bug fixes. You first need to update both standalone and merged installations with the "common" patch and then utilize the appropriate patch for either IL2FB or IL2FB+Ace expansion. Read more for download links.

The Matrix Online fanzine is a first edition collector's item celebrating the evolution of The Matrix into a revolutionary new massively multiplayer online game. Created by DC Comics and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, The Matrix Online fanzine contains 24 pages of exclusive stories and articles regarding the evolution of the game - from character creation to beta testing. The fanzine also showcases special features, including Paul Chadwick's Writing the Matrix and an in-depth look at The Matrix Mega city with special edition maps of the game world. 4.

Zuxxezz announced today that they have made the decision to delay their upcoming RTS 'Earth 2160' until Q2 2005 due to the high graphics demands for their new baby which is having an effect on the planned release date. The small team in Worms, Germany estimate that the game will first be released in the second quarter of 2005.

"Kao – The Kangaroo 2" starts his new adventures for JoWooD Productions not only on the PC, but also on all major console systems. Jumping, running, and boxing, the brave kangaroo hero has to solve many exciting levels and tough challenges. Boy, do we have some screens for you ...

Act of War: Direct Action, developed by Eugen Systems, is Atari new action game with a storyline and game universe created in cooperation with Dale Brown, 15-time New York Times best-selling author and expert on US military, global conflict and future military technology.

Pirate's Revenge is a game which focuses on true pirate determination and action, with a strong and rewarding story line. Trade elements feature as a way of restocking your ship with cannons and ammunition, or for offloading booty from your recent plundering activities. Read more for the first few screens ...

Just saw over on Reuters that Soccer Manager 2005 has been banned in China because it lists Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau and Tibet as independent countries or as China's equals, thereby threatening the country's "sovereignty and territorial integrity."

LEGO Star Wars combines two childhood favourites, LEGO and Star Wars, to create an innovative and exciting action-adventure title designed for young gamers. The game is based on The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and the eagerly awaited Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, slated for worldwide release in May 2005.

Zuxxez announced today they have signed a publishing agreement with I-Deal Games strategy game Jagged Alliance 2: Wildfire. I-Deal Games has optimized the original engine for an improved graphics resolution and has integrated innumerous new features. Read more for details & screens.

THQ today announced that Ping Pals for the Nintendo DS has shipped to retailers throughout North America. Ping Pals takes advantage of all of the major features of the NDS, including wireless communication and game sharing, as well as the touch screen utilizing the stylus.

EA announced today that Bernard Hopkins, the Middleweight Champion of the World, will serve as the official spokesman and cover athlete for EA Sports Fight Night Round 2. The sequel to this year's hit boxing video game will be released in March 2005 under the EA Sports brand for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube.

Strategy games publisher Paradox Interactive today announced, that the much-awaited sequel to the multiple award-winning Hearts of Iron, has gone gold. The game will be released in North America, Scandinavia, Russia, France, the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Poland, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Portugal and Mexico. It will be available in stores in the beginning of 2005.

Queasy Games released a new beta of its multiplayer, action-RTS title, Gate 88. In addition to a graphical face lift inspired by abstract Japanese shmups (shoot'em-ups), players can now, at any time during the game, access a tightly integrated lobby chat (IRC client) to find other Gate 88 players. Significant improvements have also been made to the network code.

World of Warcraft is an online role-playing experience set in the award-winning Warcraft universe. Players assume the roles of Warcraft heroes as they explore, adventure, and quest across a vast world. Whether adventuring together or fighting against each other in epic battles, players will form friendships, forge alliances, and compete with enemies for power and glory.

Call of Duty: Finest Hour takes console players to the frontlines of combat to experience the cinematic intensity, chaos of battle and epic moments of World War II across new campaigns across the North African, Western and Eastern Fronts.